The film was in the making for 5 years.
Sanjay Kapoor when stated working on the film was in his mid 20s while the film released he was turning 30 and was termed a oldest actor to debut as hero.
Manisha had already done a few Nepali films and was not really interested in a career in Bombay. During a party in Delhi, a journalist friend of Manisha encouraged her to come to Bombay and audition for some film. Manisha's family was not happy with this idea. But they saw Manisha was excited by the offer. They told her she had 15 days to sign any film. If after 15 days she did not sign any film, she would have to return to Nepal. Manisha auditioned for Boney Kapoor's Prem. Manisha finally landed up for Saudagar's auditioned and passed with flying color's.
Divya Bharti was signed for the lead role but dropped a week later for Tabu.
In 1989, Boney Kapoor and Tabu blasted each other in print . The cause of the fight was several issues including Farha not wanting Tabu to work with the Kapoors. This caused Boney to drop Tabu from Prem. After Tabbu and her mother went to Boney's house to apologized,she was back into the film.